Description
This easy and flavorful crockpot BBQ chicken recipe yields tender pulled chicken infused with a tangy and sweet barbecue sauce. Perfect for sandwiches, salads, tacos, or served on its own, this slow-cooked dish is a set-it-and-forget-it meal that delivers delicious results with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, fat trimmed off
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1 1/4 cup barbecue sauce (preferably sweet Baby Ray’s Honey BBQ)
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing (fat-free preferred)
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar (optional: reduce to 1/8 cup or omit for less sweetness)
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Other
- Non-stick cooking spray or disposable crockpot liner
Instructions
- Prepare the Crockpot: Liberally spray the inside of a large crockpot or slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Alternatively, use a disposable liner for easier cleanup.
- Season the Chicken: Season the trimmed boneless, skinless chicken breasts on all sides with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Place the seasoned chicken evenly at the bottom of the crockpot.
- Make the Sauce: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, Italian dressing, light brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine and Cook: Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the seasoned chicken breasts in the crockpot. Cover with the lid and cook on high for 2.5 to 3 hours, or on low for 5 to 6 hours until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Check Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Shred the Chicken: Once fully cooked, you can either serve the breasts whole or shred the chicken directly in the crockpot using two forks to soak up the flavorful sauce.
- Serve: Serve the pulled BBQ chicken on sandwich buns for classic pulled chicken sandwiches, or use it as a topping on pizza, salads, tacos, nachos, or over rice. Enjoy!
Notes
- For less sweetness, reduce or omit the brown sugar.
- Using a disposable crockpot liner makes cleanup easier and prevents sticking.
- Ensure chicken is cooked to 165°F internal temperature to guarantee food safety.
- Leftover chicken can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days or frozen for longer storage.
- This recipe is versatile and can be adapted with different BBQ sauces to suit your taste preferences.
